Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-11-11
Declaring it the Happiest Momen,
of their Lives and Shouting
Long Live Anarchy"
No Attempted Interference of
. any Kind, and no Appre-
hension of Trouble Felt.
LiDHg's Peculiar ana Tragic Dealt
Horrible In the EXtreme---The
Governors Decision.
LAST HOURS ON EARTH.
THE QUARTETTE SWING

THE QUARTETTE SWING
CHICAGO, H., Nov. 11-12:O9 p. NJ
The four condemned anarchists, Spies
Parsons. Fisher and Engel, have Just
been executed. The hanging was devoid
of any sensational or exciting features;
there was absence of many of the usual
formalities attendant upon executions.
The extent of the ceremonies was the
reading of the death warrant to the con.
demned men in the library of the Jail be-
fore leading them to the gallows
PREPARATIONS AND MARCH To THE GAL
The condemned men did not sleep well
the first part of last night At midnight
Parsons was still awake, while Spies had
not been able to sleep UP to that time.
He twisted about with wide open ewes.
Perfect and entire quietness pre- vailed in
the Jail about midnight, when Parsons,
apparently moved to the uttermost feei>
ing, sang ''Annie Laurie" The other
prtG rato thnsr IL,
the pathetic ditty. For the remainder of
the night, Parsons, Eugel and Fischer
slept well. Spies found rest after 2
o'clock: he appeared calm and the guards
praise his nerve.
This morning when preparations were
commenced for the last tragic act, Rev
Balton called upon the anarchists, but
they all refused his minlstrations though
treating him courteously. Parsons APP
peared to exhibit the most bravado during
the ordeal of the last trying moments.
All took stimulsnts except him. The
sheriff shook hands with all Spies bid
all farewell, all were bond and the death
warrant read by the sheriff Parsons
shuddered as the proceedings progressed,
but the others were then all composed.
ON THE sCAFFOLD.
The procession formed promptly and
the condemned men walked unassisted O
the scsffold. They stepped firmly upon
the traps. the caps were adjusted without
DELAY
Spies said then, my silence is more
terrible than anything l can say"
Fischer said, This is the hsppest mo
ment of my life Long live anarchy
Just as the last preparations for the
final act were completed, Parsons broke
forth, Men Of America, | want
to speak word to you, Mr. Sheriff,
may say word? -"
The drop fell, and the four anar-
chists were dangling at the end of
ropes Parsons and Engel died about
together Then Fischer, and Spies last
by choking. He
STRUGGLED VIOLENTLY
in his dying agonles.
Everything is quiet in the city, and
the authorities have no apprehensions OF
trouble.
| PRECAUTIONS.
1t has been much 9uieter day il
Chicago than was ever anticipated. The
police had been instructed BY Mayor
Roche to disperse the least semblance o.
q crowd Immediately and every precau
order. About the Jail four companies o
police were stationed all day TO keel
back crowds and clear the thoroughfare
A rope was extended along Clark and
Dearborn streets. from Kinzie to Indians
streets, and along Kiuzie and Indians
streets from Clark to Dearborn, and none
but officials and members of the press
with the necessary credentials were ad
mitted within the lines. The police wert
under the command of Capts. Buckley
and Setback, with instructions to moi
only keep the people away from the lines
but out of the streets in the neighbor
hood.